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96 111 Office Bu. R.F.&A.L. Lincolnton, N.C. Aug 25 1868 Wellman John Gardners Ford P.O Cleveland Co N.C Sir I would like to see you about the Schools in your County a soon a you can come over. Fix up your petitions for aid to carry on & assist the schools, and bring them over with you. And I will by and get the allowance of $8.00 per month for each School where the School has a large number of Scholars Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant Wm Birnie Agent Bu. R.F.&A.L. 112 Office Bu.R.F&A.L Lincolnton N.C Aug 27" 1868 Wilkes E Esqr. Iron Station. Lincoln Co. N.C Sir I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24 & 27” inst, I would respectfully suggest that you change that part of the terms & conditions upon which you will employ laborers, where you state that “We will employ none who belong to any political club, for the reason, that officer & agents of the Bureau could not sanction anything like political proscription, or be a party to any contract in 97 any shape, where the civil, religious or political rights & privileges of laborer are not allowed to be exercised. If anything will make the laborers attentive to their work, it will be the deduction or retention of 25% of their wages until the expiration of their [[strikethrough]] time [[/strikethrough]] contract. And their forfeiting their pay to the extent of 25% if they loose over two days in any working month. as stated in your letter, I would also suggest that the time for which you will give employment to the number of laborers you require be changed from twelve months and made not less than four and not over twelve months, at the laborers choice, as many would hesitate to make contracts for so long a time as 12 months, until they saw how they liked the work required of them. Please state what kind of work will be required beside cutting wood, and if at the same price or more, as cutting wood. I trust that the suggestions I have made, will meet with your approval, and that you will yield the point on political prescription, as you can do and predict wage for the month if over two days are lost, unless by sickness or other unavoidable cause. I am Sir Very Respectfully Your Obdt Servt Wm Birnie Agent Bu. R.F.&A.L.
